Adjustable Fixture Screen System
The disclosure provides a urinal screen comprising a flexible screen in a circular configuration having a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongated strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough. When positioned on a surface of a urinal or other fixture, the screen is substantially conformable to the urinal surface without sacrificing the screen objective to keep debris from entering drain. In embodiments, the center portion of the screen can be adjustable in height such that the screen is in a mound- or dome-like configuration and still preventing any debris from entering the drain.
This disclosure relates to a screen adjustable in height and/or shape for use in a urinal and assemblies that incorporate the screen.
BACKGROUNDWater conservation is a major concern in many areas and is likely to become even more important in the future as populations increase resulting in more water consumption. The largest daily user of water in commercial establishments is the urinal, while other restroom fixtures contribute to the overall high water consumption of commercial establishments.
In order to reduce water consumption, low water and no-water fixtures, such as urinals, have been devised. These no-water and low water fixtures are not flushed each time a person uses the fixture and, in fact, are oftentimes not equipped for flushing as they are not connected to a water supply. As a no-water urinal is repeatedly used, most urine is collected in a compartment of the urinal. Oil sealing liquids, such as organic oils lighter than and immiscible with urine, float on the surface of the collected urine and act as a barrier to prevent odors from escaping. Screens are used to block the collected urine, and any urine or liquid remaining in the urinal, from sight.
Typical screens used in urinals are generally flat sheets completely encircling or covering the drain. The bottom of the screen typically forms a seal with the bottom surface of the urinal. Any liquid (i.e., water, urine) must therefore pass through the perforations of the screen to go down the drain. When there is resting water and urine in the urinal, the perforations, however, have a tendency to get clogged with debris and garbage, restricting liquid flow and resulting in visible standing liquid in the urinal. The standing liquid is unpleasant to view and often emits a foul odor.
It is desirable to provide a urinal screen which is adjustable in height and/or shape to cover or conceal unsightly resting water and urine while also protecting drains from debris and garbage whether in a flat or raised position. It is further desirable to provide a urinal screen which may be used over existing screens (typically those that are affixed to drains with screws) to conceal the existing screen while also protecting drains from debris and deodorizing.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure provides a urinal screen for protecting drains from debris and garbage that can clog pipes, which can optionally be used with additional cleaner/deodorizer blocks, and can be modified in shape to conceal and avoid interference with already installed screens, resting water/urine and/or other drain components. The screen assembly can be used to cover up unsightly urine/water so that it is not viewed by the user. The assembly provides for integration of a screen with cleaning materials (e.g., enzymes, bacteria) in a solid block, gel or liquid form, with or without fragrance additives. The flexibility of the screen allows the assembly to confirm to any urinal shape or other variable surface on which the assembly would be installed to provide a trap screen and ensure that little or no debris enters the drain. The conforming properties of the flexible screen design ensure that the screen lies flat on the contact surface to prevent splashing of urine.
In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a urinal screen, comprising a flexible screen in a circular configuration comprising a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongate strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough, wherein when positioned on a surface of a urinal, the screen is substantially conformable to the urinal surface. In embodiments, the center portion of the screen can be elevated such that the screen is in a mound- or dome-like configuration.
In embodiments of the screen, the outer portion can be structured as a plurality of elongated strips extending radially outward from and in a perpendicular orientation to the center portion, as one or more elongated strips in a spiral configuration, or as a plurality of strips in a zigzag configuration extending outwardly from the center portion, among other configurations. In an embodiment, the outer portion is composed of zigzagged strips with a plurality of bent arm portions connected together at an angle.
In embodiments, the screen can be connected to a module for containing a material (e.g., block, gel or liquid) containing a cleaning agent, fragrance or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the urinal screen, with or without a module containing a cleaning/fragrance material, can be combined with an arched support stand, such that the screen is situated over the support stand in a domed configuration.
In an embodiment, a urinal screen assembly according to the disclosure comprises a flexible screen in a circular configuration comprising a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongated strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough; and at least one of a) a fastening element sized for insertion through the center hole of the screen, b) an arched support stand sized for placement of the screen thereover in a domed configuration, and c) a module for containing a cleaner or fragrance block, configured for attachment to the flexible screen. In embodiments, the outer portion of the screen comprises a plurality of elongated strips extending radially outwardly from the center portion.
Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. Throughout the following views, the reference numerals will be used in the drawings, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the several views and in the description to indicate the same or like parts.
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a urinal screen and system for placement over the drain of a urinal. The present urinal screen and assemblies provide a robust design that allows not only for flat installation but can also be raised into a cone or dome-like shape to avoid interference with other drain parts, urine and/or water.
An embodiment of a urinal screen system 10 according to the disclosure is described with reference to
Referring to
The outer portion 16 is configured as one or more elongated strips 18 extending outwardly from the center portion 14. The strips 18 are adjacently positioned with narrow slits 20 therebetween. This configuration of the outer portion 16 as one or more strips 18 allows the screen 12, when positioned over the drain of a urinal, to substantially adapt and conform to the contours of the urinal surface and prevent passage of debris into the drain.
For example, as illustrated in
The screen 10 can be manufactured from a variety of flexible materials, for example, a polymeric-based material, silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic olefinic elastomers, and other materials known in the art by compression molding, injection molding or other process known and used in the art. In some embodiments, that material from which screen 10 is made may contain or include a fragrance, antibacterial/antimicrobial agent or other treatment.
In embodiments, the screen 12 can be used in combination with a module 26 configured for containing an enzyme (cleaner) or fragrance (deodorizer) material 28. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, as depicted in
Referring to
As depicted in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the arched support stand 38 is composed of a plurality of arched leg sections 44 as depicted in
In the exemplary embodiments shown, the arched leg sections 44 are specifically designed to provide the maximum height at weight center portion 14 of screen 12 may be elevated such that perimeter edge 42 maintains physical contact with a substrate surface around the entire circumference of screen 12. The maximum height is therefore dependent on the overall radius of screen 12 and the flexibility and/or rigidity of outer portion 16, as well as the size of corresponding arched support stand 38 (and leg portions 44 and/or domed center section 50 as in
Optionally, as shown in
In another embodiment depicted in
In use, the domed screen assembly 40 can be installed over a drain 36a of a urinal 36 as depicted in
It is specifically intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claim.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A fixture screen assembly, comprising:
- a flexible screen comprising a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, and a circumference, the outer portion comprising separated elongated, flexible strips extending radially outward from the center portion to an outer perimeter such that the entire outer perimeter about the circumference of the screen is separated into said flexible strips, each of the flexible strips having a distal end; and
- an arched support stand sized for receiving the flexible screen,thereover such that the flexible screen is in a domed configuration and with the center portion of the screen elevated;
- wherein upon placement of the support stand on a surface of a substrate and with the center portion of the screen attached to the support stand, the distal ends of the flexible strips are in physical contact with the surface of the substrate about the entire circumference of the screen, and the screen about the circumference is conformable to contours of the surface of the substrate.
22. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the flexible strips in contact with the surface of the substrate about the circumference of the screen prevent debris from passing under the arched support stand.
23. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the support stand is adjustable in height.
24. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the support stand is composed of a plurality of arched leg sections.
25. The screen assembly of claim 21, further comprising a module configured for containing a cleaner and/or fragrance material, the module attachable to the center portion of the screen.
26. The screen assembly of claim 24, wherein the module contains a material comprising a cleaning agent, fragrance, or a combination thereof.
27. The screen assembly of claim 25, wherein the material is a block, gel or liquid material.
28. The screen assembly of claim 25, wherein the module comprises a base section and a cover.
29. The screen assembly of claim 25, wherein the module is situated on the center portion of the screen, and the arched leg sections are attached together under the screen and to the module.
30. The screen assembly of claim 21, further comprising a flexible, circular support structure situated between the screen and the arched support.
31. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the outer portion of the screen comprises a plurality of elongate strips extending radially outwardly from the center portion of the screen in an orientation perpendicular to the center portion.
32. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the outer portion of the screen comprises a plurality of elongate strips extending radially outwardly from the center portion of the screen in a spiral configuration.
33. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the outer portion of the screen comprises a plurality of elongate strips extending radially outwardly from the center portion of the screen in a zigzag configuration.
34. The screen assembly of claim 33, wherein one or more of the elongated strips of the screen comprise a plurality of bent arm portions connected together at an angle.
35. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein one or more of the elongated strips of the screen comprise multiple protrusions extending from a surface of the strip.
36. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the support stand comprises legs removably connected to a domed center section.
37. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the support stand is attached to the center portion of the screen.
38. A fixture screen assembly, comprising:
- a flexible screen in a circular configuration comprising a circumference, a center portion and an outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion comprising individual elongate, flexible strips extending radially outward from the center portion to an outer perimeter such that the entire outer perimeter is separated into said flexible strips, each of the flexible strips having a distal end; and
- a support stand attached to the center portion of the screen, wherein the flexible screen overlies the support stand in a domed configuration such that upon placement of the support stand on a surface of a substrate, the distal ends of the flexible strips are in contact with the substrate about the entire circumference of the screen, and the screen about the circumference is conformable to contours of the surface of the substrate.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2016
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2016
Patent Grant number: 10066382
Inventors: Todd J. Muderlak (Whitefish Bay, WI), Kenneth J. Muderlak (Milwaukee, WI)
Application Number: 15/196,419